Tropical Storm Andrea is about to move into North Carolina. At 11:00 a.m. EDT the center of Andrea was located near latitude 34.4 north, longitude 79.5 west.

Andrea is moving more quickly toward the northeast near 28 mph (44 km/h) and this general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected through late Saturday. A turn toward the east-northeast should occur Saturday night.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours, but Andrea is expected to lose tropical characteristics later today.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 160 miles (260 km) east of the center. A sustained wind of 46 mph and a gust of 53 mph was recently reported at the Ocean Crest Pier on Oak Island North Carolina.